Tallahassee, FL – In response to Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll’s insulting statement that ‘Black women that look like me don't engage in relationships like that,’ the Florida Democratic Party is issuing the following statement and called on Carroll to apologize for her intolerant remarks.

Statement from Florida Democratic Party Chairman Rod Smith:

“Time will tell whether the allegations that the Lt. Governor has misused her position and harassed a subordinate are true, but there is one thing we know right now: Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll has embarrassed our state with her public comments insulting the gay and lesbian community.

"Her generalities about what Black lesbians 'look like' were ignorant, irrelevant and unnecessarily hostile. The LGBT community is a valued part of the rich diversity that is Florida. It is sad to see an elected leader relying on unfair stereotypes to deflect criticism.

“Attitudes like those expressed by Jennifer Carroll are why the Florida Democratic Party continues to support the enactment of protections for LGBT Floridians. In the past, black women have been the victims of hurtful stereotypes. The Lt. Governor should know better than to say what she said, and apologize for her ill considered and degrading remarks.”